Give Donbas, take NATO seat: Could new US pitch work for Ukraine, Russia?
Ukraine's NATO ambition has always been a red line for the Kremlin. Giving up territory has been a no-no for Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that US negotiators had suggested Ukraine could potentially cede control of the eastern Donbas region in exchange for NATO membership, according to a report on Saturday. The idea came up during recent discussions between Zelensky and US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, who visited Kiev after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Zelensky stated that if presented with a proposal containing security guarantees, no restrictions on Ukraine's military, and funds to rebuild the country, he would put it to a referendum. Ukraine has long sought NATO membership as a condition of any peace deal to deter future threats, but Russia has consistently rejected the idea, citing it as unacceptable for a NATO member on its border.
Zelensky reiterated Ukraine's unwillingness to give up sovereign territory, despite Moscow's demands for the Donbas cession. Both sides seem to be at an impasse, with Russia occupying a significant portion of Ukrainian land and demanding territorial concessions and neutrality in exchange for any peace deal.
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- US has floated Ukraine ceding Donbas for Nato membership, Zelensky says myjoyonline.com
- US has floated Ukraine ceding Donbas for Nato membership, Zelensky says kahawatungu.com
- US has floated Ukraine ceding Donbas for Nato membership, Zelensky says kbc.co.ke
- Zelensky rejects neutral status for Ukraine qatar-tribune.com
- Zelensky says Ukraine's neutrality won't be enshrined in Constitution amid push from Russia hindustantimes.com
